A FATHER-of-two who repeatedly abused a 14-year-old girl after his wife had left him had been jailed for 23 months.

Stephen Dent, 46, groomed the child before groping her on a number of occasions.

When Dent was questioned about what he had done a judge was told he had convinced himself how at one stage they were in a viable relationship.

But in reality the child had been left badly scarred by what he had done to her and at one point had run off, scaling a fence, to get away from him.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that the victim was a family friend and Dent was well aware of her age as he used to joke that he was twice as old as her when he was 24 and she 12.

"She said that he began quite soon after this to start kissing her. She had no experience of that sort of thing, of any intimate form, at all," he said.

After Dent's wife left him he focussed his attention upon her, Mr Meeke said.

"You would see from his interview he has convinced himself now that they were in a relationship which might have a future, if that is the way to put it," he said.

"After one incident she was so revolted and horrified she ran outside and jumped over a garden fence to get away from him and did her utmost to avoid him again."

The abuse has had a dramatic impact on her life, he said, affecting her friendships, relationships and approach to sexual relations.

Dent, of Waverley Road, Stratton, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault in the year up to late July 1997.

Chris Smyth, defending, said that the case was unusual for the level of admissions he made to the police, telling them it went further than the girl said.

After his wife left him he said he devoted his life to his boys, one of whom is severely disabled, leading to him giving up work for many years.

Were he to be jailed he said the 23-year-old would have to go into care as no one else was capable of looking after him.

He said his client lived with an older woman, with whom he had a relationship in the past, and had started working again but lost his job as a result of the convictions.

"When the offences occurred his wife had left him and he was at an emotional weak point," he said.

Jailing him Judge Douglas Field said: "Whether you were consciously grooming her or not, you were grooming her.

"You were flattering her, complimenting her about her age, she was 14 you were 26and she was young and naive and very inexperienced about the ways of the world.

"The affect this has had on her has been profound and long lasting, she has had to deal with it over the years. Finally she had the courage to go and report matters.

"I am hoping that today will offer her some closure and given a further period of time she can put this behind her."

As well as jailing Dent he also told him he must register as a sex offender for ten years.

An NSPCC spokesman for South West England said: “Dent groomed and then assaulted his young victim for his own sexual gratification, abusing the trust she and her family had placed in him.

“He acted with no regard for the impact his behaviour would have on his vulnerable victim, and is now rightly behind bars where he cannot harm any other children.

“Without the right support, sexual abuse like this can have a huge impact on both the childhood of the victim and on their adult life.

“Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person, or who wish to discuss concerns over non-recent abuse, can call our helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.”